How to Fix GitHub Copilot Not Working in IntelliJ IDEA on Windows 11

If you’re using GitHub Copilot in IntelliJ IDEA and suddenly it stops working — showing no code suggestions or failing to connect — don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Many developers on Windows 11 face occasional issues with GitHub Copilot not loading, not signing in, or becoming unresponsive after an update. Luckily, these problems can be fixed quickly with a few troubleshooting steps.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix GitHub Copilot in IntelliJ IDEA on Windows 11, step-by-step, so you can get your AI coding assistant running smoothly again.

Why Is GitHub Copilot Not Working in IntelliJ IDEA?

There are several reasons why Copilot may stop functioning properly inside IntelliJ IDEA:

• Authentication issues — expired or invalid GitHub login session.
• Network restrictions — firewall, VPN, or proxy blocking GitHub servers.
• Outdated Copilot plugin — compatibility issues after IDE updates.
• Plugin conflicts — other IntelliJ extensions interfering with Copilot.
• Corrupted settings or cache in IntelliJ IDEA.

No matter the cause, the solutions below will help you restore Copilot to full functionality.

Fix 1: Re-Authenticate GitHub Copilot

The most common reason Copilot stops working is an expired GitHub authentication token.

1. Open IntelliJ IDEA.
2. Go to File → Settings → GitHub Copilot.
3. Click Sign Out (if available).
4. Then, click Sign In to GitHub Copilot.
5. A browser window will open — log in with your GitHub account.
6. Authorize IntelliJ IDEA to access your GitHub Copilot subscription.

After successful login, return to IntelliJ IDEA and wait a few seconds. Try typing a comment like:

// write a function to reverse a string

If Copilot suggests code, it’s fixed!

Fix 2: Update IntelliJ IDEA and Copilot Plugin

Outdated versions of IntelliJ IDEA or the GitHub Copilot plugin can cause compatibility errors, especially after Windows or IDE updates.

Update IntelliJ IDEA:

1. Click Help → Check for Updates.
2. Download and install any available updates.
3. Restart IntelliJ IDEA.

Update GitHub Copilot Plugin:

1. Go to File → Settings → Plugins.
2. Select the Installed tab.
3. Find GitHub Copilot and click Update (if available).
4. Restart IntelliJ IDEA to apply changes.

Keeping both up to date ensures smooth communication between the IDE and GitHub’s API.

Fix 3: Check Internet Connection, VPN, and Firewall

GitHub Copilot requires a stable internet connection to communicate with GitHub’s servers. If your VPN, proxy, or firewall blocks these requests, Copilot won’t load or suggest code.

1. Temporarily disable VPN or proxy services.
2. Make sure IntelliJ IDEA can access the internet.
3. If you use Windows Defender or third-party antivirus, allow the following URLs:
   • api.github.com
   • copilot-proxy.githubusercontent.com
4. Restart IntelliJ IDEA and test again.

Tip: If you’re behind a corporate network, check with your system administrator for firewall exceptions.

Fix 4: Enable Copilot Plugin Manually

Sometimes Copilot is installed but disabled after an IDE update. To enable the plugin:

1. Go to File → Settings → Plugins → Installed.
2. Search for “GitHub Copilot.”
3. If it’s disabled, click Enable.
4. Restart IntelliJ IDEA.

After restart, check if the Copilot icon appears in the IDE’s status bar (bottom right).

Fix 5: Clear IntelliJ Cache and Restart

Corrupted IDE cache files can cause GitHub Copilot and other plugins to malfunction.

1. Go to File → Invalidate Caches / Restart.
2. Click Invalidate and Restart.
3. IntelliJ will clear cached files and relaunch.

After restarting, try using Copilot again. This often resolves UI freezes and broken suggestions.

Fix 6: Reinstall the GitHub Copilot Plugin

If updating doesn’t fix the issue, reinstalling the plugin might help.

1. Go to File → Settings → Plugins → Installed.
2. Search for GitHub Copilot and click Uninstall.
3. Restart IntelliJ IDEA.
4. Reinstall it from the Marketplace tab:
   • Search “GitHub Copilot”
   • Click Install
   • Restart the IDE again.

This ensures you’re running the latest, clean version of the plugin.

Fix 7: Verify Copilot Subscription

Copilot requires an active subscription (or a valid free trial) to work.

1. Go to GitHub Copilot Billing Page.
2. Check if your subscription is active.
3. If it has expired, renew or start a new trial.

After updating your subscription, restart IntelliJ IDEA and log in again.

Fix 8: Disable Conflicting Extensions

Some extensions, especially those handling code completion (like AI tools or custom formatters), may conflict with Copilot.

1. Go to File → Settings → Plugins → Installed.
2. Temporarily disable other AI or autocomplete extensions.
3. Restart IntelliJ IDEA.
4. Test Copilot again.

If Copilot starts working, re-enable your other extensions one by one to find the culprit.

Fix 9: Reset GitHub Copilot Settings

You can also reset Copilot’s configuration within IntelliJ IDEA.

1. Open File → Settings → GitHub Copilot.
2. Click Reset All Settings (if available).
3. Restart IntelliJ IDEA.

This removes cached authentication tokens and plugin preferences, often resolving configuration-related errors.

Fix 10: Check for System-Level SSL or Proxy Errors

If you’re getting network or SSL warnings in IntelliJ logs, GitHub Copilot might not be able to connect securely.

1. Open Help → Show Log in Explorer.
2. Look for entries like SSLHandshakeException or Proxy connection failed.
3. If present, disable custom SSL interception tools (like antivirus HTTPS scanners).
4. Try again after rebooting.

Bonus: Test GitHub Copilot Chat

If you’ve also installed GitHub Copilot Chat, check if the chat functionality works. If chat loads but inline suggestions don’t, it’s likely a plugin-specific issue.

You can reinstall or reset the GitHub Copilot Chat plugin using the same steps as above.

Wrapping Up

If GitHub Copilot isn’t working in IntelliJ IDEA on Windows 11, the problem usually comes down to authentication, connectivity, or outdated software.

By re-signing in, updating your IDE, clearing cache, or reinstalling the plugin, you can get Copilot back up and running in just a few minutes.

Once fixed, you’ll again enjoy AI-powered code completions, natural language prompts, and seamless productivity inside IntelliJ IDEA — powered by GitHub Copilot.